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In a significant boost to India’s maritime survey capabilities, the Indian Navy has officially received ‘Sanshodhak’ (Yard 3028), the fourth and final vessel of the Survey Vessel (Large) (SVL) project. This delivery marks the successful completion of a strategic shipbuilding program designed to replace aging platforms with state-of-the-art indigenous technology, reinforcing India's commitment to Aatmanirbhar Bharat.

The SVL Project: Evolution and Fleet

The SVL project was initiated through a contract signed in October 2018 between the Ministry of Defence and Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata. The project aimed to modernize the Navy's hydrographic fleet by constructing four large-scale survey ships.

• The Fleet Composition: Sanshodhak joins its three sister ships—INS Sandhayak, INS Nirdeshak, and INS Ikshak, to provide the Navy with a complete quartet of modern survey platforms.
• Etymology: The name ‘Sanshodhak’ translates to ‘Researcher’, a title that reflects the ship's primary function as a high-tech platform for underwater data collection and oceanographic analysis.

Technical Specifications and Indigenization

Designed by the Indian Navy’s Warship Design Bureau, the ship stands as a symbol of domestic engineering prowess.

• Dimensions and Displacement: The vessel measures 110 meters in length and has a displacement of approximately 3,400 tons.
• Propulsion and Speed: It is powered by two diesel engines, enabling the ship to reach speeds in excess of 18 knots.
• Indigenous Content: A standout feature for governance and economy modules is that the ship boasts over 80% indigenous content by cost. This involved collaboration with a vast network of Indian industries and MSMEs, stimulating the domestic defense-industrial ecosystem.

Advanced Capabilities: The "Eyes" of the Ocean

Sanshodhak is equipped with a sophisticated suite of sensors and equipment to map the depths of the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).

• Autonomous Systems: It carries Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs) and Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs), allowing for deep-sea exploration without putting divers at risk.
• Sonar and Imaging: The vessel features Digital Side Scan Sonar for high-resolution underwater imaging and a comprehensive Data Acquisition and Processing System to analyze geophysical data in real-time.
• Positioning: High-precision DGPS long-range positioning systems ensure the vessel can map the seabed with centimeter-level accuracy.

Strategic and Civil Applications

The data collected by Sanshodhak serves a dual-purpose, making it a vital asset for both national security and economic development.

• Hydrographic Surveys: It performs full-scale surveys of coastal and deep-water regions, specifically targeting port and harbor approaches.
• Navigational Safety: By determining critical navigational channels, the ship ensures safe passage for both naval warships and commercial merchant vessels.
• Oceanographic Research: It gathers vital oceanographic and geophysical data essential for understanding climate change, marine biology, and underwater topography.
• Defense and Civil Synergy: While the data is used for naval operations, it is also utilized for maritime trade, environmental research, and supporting the Blue Economy.